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The Secret Chapter

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The Secret Chapter

By: Genevieve Cogman
Narrated by: Kristin Atherton
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About this listen

The trans-dimensional library teeters on the brink of catastrophe – and only one book can save it. The Secret Chapter is the sixth instalment in the Invisible Library series from Genevieve Cogman.

As Irene tries to manage a fraught truce between the warring Fae and dragon factions – not to mention her overbearing parents – she’s given a new mission. The world where she grew up is in danger, and only one book can save it. A book owned by a secretive Fae antiques dealer named Mr Nemo.

In 21st century Vienna, a painting holds an extraordinary secret from the past – and Mr Nemo wants it. To acquire the book and save the library, Irene and her assistant Kai must team up with an unlikely band of scheming dragons, Fae gamblers and outright thieves. Together, they must pull off an amazing art heist – and trade the painting for that book.

But some will kill to protect this painting. If Irene wants to save her world from disaster, it isn't going to be easy . . .

The spectacularly bookish fantasy continues in The Dark Archive.

Praise for the series:

'I absolutely loved this' – N. K. Jemisin, author of The Fifth Season

'Irene is a great heroine: fiery, resourceful and no one's fool' – The Guardian

'Cogman keeps upping the ante on this delightful series!' – Charles Stross, author of the Merchant Princes series

 Action & Adventure Dragons & Mythical Creatures Fantasy Fiction Historical Humorous Magic Science Fiction Mythology Dragons Thief

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Critic reviews

The ensuing shenanigans are wittily told, with some great one-liners and comic set pieces, and the resourceful Irene is a delightful protagonist. This is light-hearted fantasy at its page-turning best (Guardian)
I absolutely loved this . . . flavoured with truly unique mythology and a dash of the eldritch. Such clever, creepy, elaborate worldbuilding and snarky, sexy-smart characters! (N. K. Jemisin on The Invisible Library (Book One))
Irene is a great heroine: fiery, resourceful and no one’s fool, she has a wonderfully droll sense of humour – much like the novel itself (Guardian on The Masked City (Book Two))
Brilliant and so much fun. Skullduggery, Librarians, and dragons – Cogman keeps upping the ante on this delightful series! (Charles Stross on The Burning Page (Book Three))
Reminiscent of the works of Diana Wynne Jones . . . a true treat to read (Publishers Weekly on The Invisible Library (Book One))
Cogman fills a captivating story with animated characters and propels the narrative at a cracking pace, planting perfectly timed plot twists and reversals of fortune along the way (Guardian on The Mortal Word (Book Five))
All stars
Most relevant
Loving these books even more that we have a new narrator who isn't annoying to listen to. A brilliant book, now just have to wait patiently for the release of the next installment!!

Brilliant and a new narrator who isn't irksome!!

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I tried to listen to the series before but didn’t like the narrator. I hope the entire series is done by Kristin Atherton, so I can start from the beginning.

Even though this is the middle of the series, it did t take too long to understand the premise.

Finally!!! A wonderful narrator

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Loved it, a team of contrasting characters on an art theft mission involving magic. The baddy is a Jules Verne / Dr No type character we've seen before but it isn't at all boring.

James Bond with a girl Bond and dragons

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I don’t know what has happened between Genevieve Colman and Susan Duerden but the whole book has changed. Kristin Atherton narrates very well but for me, Susan Duerden is Irene. She is all the characters and I don’t feel the same way about the book anymore. Such a shame.

Where is Susan Duerden?

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Since Kai became Irene's assistant in the library, they just can't catch a break, and as much as that sucks for them, I can't get enough. Bring on the next one soon!

Side note, the new narrator for this book was odd after binging on the previous books. I don't dislike the new one, but some very different pronunciation is jarring. I will reserve judgement on my preference until I have listened again.

Life for Irene and Kai is never simple

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